Cotton picking or harvesting machine.



No. 773,357. PATENTBD 007.. 25, 1904. J. W. WEBB. COTTON PIGKING 0RHARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 778,857. PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904 Y J. W. WEBB.

COTTON PIGKING OR HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16, 1904.

NO MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

J. W. WEBB.

COTTON PIOKING OR HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 773,357. PATENTED 007. 25, 1904.

' J. W. WEBB.

COTTON PIUKING 0R HARVESTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1904.

no MODEL. 4snn1xtrs-snnm 4.

Nirnn STATES Patented October 25, 1904.

PATENT FFICE.

COTTON PICKING OR HARVESTING MACHINE- SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 773,357, dated October 25, 1904.

Application filed June 16, 1904. Serial No. 212,808. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN \V. W'EBB, a citizen of the United States,residing at Greenville, in the county of Washington and State ofMississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CottonPicking or Harvesting Machines; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thefigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to a machine for picking or harvesting cotton, andcomprises generally a wheeled vehicle carrying a small enginc operatingadynamo and a suction-creating fan, the dynamo being suitably connectedwith a number of electrically-operated motors mounted upon acorresponding number of tubes, each tube being provided with a slidingcotton-picker head and each head carrying cotton-picking fingersperiodically actuated by means carried by the sliding picker-heads, saidmeans and the picker-heads being operated by the electric motor carriedby the tube.

The machine also comprises a vacuum box or boxes in which a suction iscreated by the suction-fan and with which box or boxes the tubes of thecotton-picker heads communicate, so that as the pickers take the cottonfrom the bolls the cotton will be drawn through the tubes into thevacuum box or boxes and there deposited in suitable bagssupported'therein for the purpose, and from any one of whichvacuum-boxes communication may be cut off between the same and thetubes, so as to permit the bag which receives the cotton to be removedfrom the box or boxes without interfering with the work of the otherparts of the machine.

The invention has for its object to provide such a machine as that justdescribed in general terms in which the several parts will cooperate, sothat the cotton-picker heads will be automatically moved toward thecottonbolls, so that the picker-fingers may grasp ton from the boll andthen release their grip upon the cotton, so that the suction created bythe suction fan will draw the cotton through the tubes into the vacuumor suction box, whereby the cotton will be detached from the bollswithout breaking the bolls or portions of the plant and without carryingany foreign matter with the cotton through the tubes and in which agreater quantity of cotton can be picked in less time and with theemployment of less labor than heretofore.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear the invention consists in the features ofconstruction and in the combination of parts hereinafter particularly.described and then sought to be clearly defined by the claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof,and in which" Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of a portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of thevacuum-boxes and of the vacuum-trunk in communication with the same,oneof the boxes being in vertical section, and a portion of thevacuum-trunk broken away. Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the tubescarrying its electric motor and provided with the sliding picker-head,the picker-fingers, and means for actuating the latter. Fig. 6 is a planview of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an end view looking from the front of Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the picker-head approaching thecotton-boll and with parts in position ready to open. Fig. 9 is asimilar view showing the picker-head after it has reached the boll andwith fingers open. Fig. 10 is a similar view showing position of theparts after the fingers have grasped the cotton. Fig. v11 is a similarView showing position of the parts after the fingers have grasped thecotton and the head pulled back, detaching the cotton from the boll.Fig. 12 is a similar view showing position of the parts after the headhas been drawn back and the fingers opened to release the cotton, whichis whipped back by suction through the tube. Fig. 13 is a front end Viewof the picker-head with a modified form of picker-finger, and Fig. 14 avertical IOC section through the picker-head having the modifiedlingers.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates the wheeled vehicle, whichmaybe drawn by horses and which is provided with a gasoleneengine 2, towhich the gasolene is supplied from a tank 3, said engine being coupledto the shaft of a suitable dynamo 1 and a suitable suction-fan 5, fromwhich dynamo wires 6 and 7 lead to and connect with the wires 8 and 9,which conduct the current to a suitable electric motor 10, supportedupon a tube 11, there being provided any desired number of tubes andeach tube being provided with its electric motor connected with thedynamo, as described. For purposes of illustration I have illustratedeight of the tubes 11; but the number may be varied, and as the motor ofeach tube will be the same the illustration and description of the partsof one motor will answer for all. The motor may be of any approvedpattern, and to its shaft 13 will be attached the gear-wheels 1 1, whichwill mesh with gear-wheels 15, which will drive the cranks 16 and 17 ortheir equivalents. From the cranks 17 lead the rods or pitmen 18, whichare connected by pins 19 with a sliding picker-head 20, sleeved to thetube 11, which picker-head carries picker-fingers 21 of any suitableconstruction and arrangement to be periodically opened and closed at theproper times to grasp the cotton on the boll and to release the sameafter it is detached from the boll. A suitable construction andarrangement of picker-fingers for the purpose I have illustrated in' thedrawings, and, as illustrated, each finger 21 is hinged or pivoted by apin 22, carried by cars 23, supported by the picker head 20. Each fingerhas a heel 24;, which may be braced by a plate 25, and on the top ofeach linger is a flange 26. A series of these fingers are arrangedaround the picker-head, and an encircling ring 27 bears against theflanges 26 and is connected by spiral springs 28 with the forwardend ofthe picker-head, so as to hold the picker-lingers normally closed. Thesefingers are automatically opened by extensions 29 of a collar 30,slidably mounted on the picker-head 20, said extensions working betweenthe ears 23, so as to bear against the heels 2st of the picker-lingersand lift the fingers, so as to cause them to open in the forwardmovement of the extensions, and said extensions are formed with inclinedfaces 31, which bear against the ends of the heels in the backwardmovement of the extensions, so that the extensions may easily pass tothe rear of the heels and into position to open the lin gers on the nextforward movement of the collar carrying these extensions. The collar 30,to which the extensions 29 are connected, is reciprocated on the slidingpicker-head 20 by means of the rods or pitmen 32, which connect thesliding collar 30 to the cranks 16, driven by the gear-wheels 15. Thecranks 16 and 17 are so proportioned that the pickerhead 20 will bemoved up to the cotton-boll and the collar 30, carrying the extensions29, at the same time moved forward, so as to open the picker-fingers tothe position shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. As soon as the forwardends of the extensions 29 pass beyond springs 28, to which is attachedthe ring 27, will retract and throw the fingers 21 down, so that theywill grasp the cotton close up to the boll, which will be done beforethe pickerhead begins its backward movement. As soon as the lingers havetaken their position on the cotton near the base of the bell thepickerhead then begins its backward movement, so as to pull the cottonfrom the boll, and when pulled from the boll and the fingers again openand release the cotton the suction in the tube draws the cotton throughthe tube toward the suction or vacuum box. In this way the slidingpicker-head moves the fingers into position to grasp the cotton near thebase of the locks of cotton and the fingers take their hold upon thecotton before the retraction of the picker-head and the pulling actionon the cotton begins, so that the pulling action begins after thefingers have taken their position close to the base of the cotton-boll.Thus it will be observed that there are three distinct movements: first,the forward movement of the picker-head to bring the pickerfingers tothe proper position, then the closing of the fingers to grasp the cottonclose to the base of the cotton-boll, and then the retracting andpulling action on the cotton. This results in the perfect separation ofthe cotton from the boll Without leaving any of the cotton attached tothe boll and without breaking any part of the boll or plant. This alsoresults in the cotton being delivered in a clearer condition than is thecase where particles of the boll and plant are liable to be broken bythe picker and also results in the saving of the cotton, as the cottonis completely detached without leaving particles remaining on the boll.

The tubes 11 at their inner ends connect with flexible tubes 33, whichlead to a trunk 34:, which communicates through necks or openings 35with the vacuum box or boxes 36, and at such communicating pointshand-eontrolled valves 37 are located, so as to cut off communicationbetween the trunk 34 and any one of the boxes or compartments 36. Thebox or boxes 36 communicate through a pipe or line 38 with thesuction-fan 5, so that a suction or vacuum is created in the box orboxes 36. This causes the cotton which has been detached from the bollto be conveyed from the pipes 11 through the flexible pipes 33 to thetrunk 34 and thence into the box or boxes 36, where it is collected in abag or other receptacle 39, temporarily sustained l therein. for thepurpose. Under this arrangethe end of the heels 241 of the fingers the.

ment when the bag in any compartment is filled that compartment can becut off from the cotton-picker tubes or heads by closing the valve 37,and while the filled bag is being removed cotton can continue to bedrawn into the other box or boxes, and thus the working of the machinewill not be interfered with.

The series of tubes 11 which carry the electric motors for operating thepicker-heads and their fingers are suspended from a beam of any suitableform supported in any suitable manner from the bed of the machine .1. Inthe drawings I have. illustrated them as suspended by means of elasticsupports 40 from a beam 41, which is sustained by uprights i2 from thebed of the machine. This relieves the operators from the weight of thetubes 11 and their attachments and at the same time enables the operatorto swing the tubes sidewise or downwardly and also forwardly to theextent desired to meet the conditions prevailing at the time the machineis being operated.

In Figs. 18 and 14: the construction of the parts is the same as thecorresponding parts already described, with this difference, that thegrasping ends of the fingers are provided with finger-tips &2, madeseparate from the shanks of the fingers and in which the shanks looselyfit, so as to permit the finger-tips to be re'ciprocated with themovement of the shanks of the fingers. These finger-tipsare guided intheir reciprocation by guides 43, secured to the flaring mouth of thepickerhead, said guides having tongues 4 fitting in grooves 45, formedin the edges of the finger-tips, as shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

This construction gives a straight diagonal thrust or movement to thefinger-tips in the movements of the fingers, and for some reasons thismay be the preferred form of fingers employed.

Under the employment and arrangement of the parts described an efficientcotton picking or harvesting machine is produced, which will enable alarge quantity of cotton to be picked in-a day with the assistance offew attendants and at a great saving in cost and time and which alsowill deliver the cotton in a cleaner and better condition for shipmentto the ginnery.

I have illustrated and described with particularity the best means knownto me at this time for embodiment in the machine; but I do not confinemyself to such details, except where they are specifically claimed, aschanges can be made in the details of various parts of the machine andessential features of my invention be retained.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claimis 1. In a cotton picking or harvesting machine, a conveyer-tube for thecotton, a sliding cotton-picker head at the end of said tube,picker-fingers carried by said sliding head,

means for sliding said head, and means for the cotton on the boil,substantially as dey scribed.

3. In a cotton picking or harvesting machine, the conveyer-tube for thecotton, the pivoted picker-fingers each formed with a heel, the ringengaging a part of each finger, the spring drawing the ring against thefingers to keep them normally closed, the collar having a part thereofarranged to engage the heels of the fingers to open them against thetension of the springs, and means for moving the collar back and forth,substantially as described.

4. In a cotton picking or harvesting machine, a conveyer-tube for thecotton, a sliding cotton-picker head at one end of said tube,picker-fingers supported at the end of the tube, a collar looselymounted on the sliding head and having a part thereof arranged to engagewith the picker-fingers, a motor, and rods or pitmen connecting thepicker-head and said collar, respectively, with the drive-shaft of themotor for moving the head and collar, substantially as described.

5. In a cotton picking or harvesting machine, a conveyer-tube for thecotton, a sliding cotton-picker head and picker-fingers at the end ofsaid tube, a motor mounted on the tube, and connections between themotor and sliding head and picker-fingers for actuating the head andfingers, substantially as described.

6. In a cotton-picking or harvesting machine, a conveyer-tube for thecotton, pickerfingers carried by the tube, a motor mounted on the tube,connections between the motor and fingers for actuating the latter, avacuum or suction box, with which said conveyer-tube is incommunication, a suction-fan for creating a vacuum in said box, a dynamofor driving the motor carried by the tube, and an engine for drivingsaid dynamo and actuating the suction-fan, substantially as described.

7. In a cotton picking or harvesting machine, a suction or vacuum box,comprising independent compartments, cotton-conveyer tubes incommunication with the compartments of said box and provided at one endwith picking-fingers, means communicating with the lower portion of thecompartments for creating a suction or vacuum in the severalcompartments of the box, and means for preventing the inflow of cottoninto one of the compartments of the box while permitting its inflow intoanother compartment, substantiall y as described.

8. in a cotton picking or harvesting machine, a suction or vacuum box, atrunk in communication with said box, cotton-conveyer tubes incommunication with said trunk, each tube being provided withpicker-lingers, and means communicating with the lower portion of thevacuum-box for sucking the cotton from the series of tubes into thetrunk and from thence into the box, substantially as described.

9. in a cotton picking or harvesting machine, a suction or vacuum box,cotton-conveyer tubes in communication with said box and provided at oneend with picker-lingers, means for creating-a suction or vacuum in thebox, and flexible means sustaining the tubes from a suitable support,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WV. \VEBB.

l/Vitn esses:

JAiuns B. HODGKIN, J. L. Cox.

